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All-Decade Team (2010-19): Starting Pitcher 

Strong 2015 Season Solidified Erik Johnson's Spot on All-Decade Team
April 7, 2020

Leading into what would have been Opening Day of the 2020 season for the Charlotte Knights (April 9), the team's VP of Communications, Tommy Viola, will unveil the Charlotte Knights All-Decade Team (2010-19). Check back each weekday to see who made the team.

Leading into what would have been Opening Day of the 2020 season for the Charlotte Knights (April 9), the team's VP of Communications, Tommy Viola, will unveil the Charlotte Knights All-Decade Team (2010-19). Check back each weekday to see who made the team.

STARTING PITCHER: ERIK JOHNSON

RHP Erik Johnson won the most games with the Knights over the last decade – 22. He also racked up a number of awards for one of the most impressive seasons ever in franchise history.

Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the second round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft, Johnson made his way to Triple-A in 2013. Appearing in 10 games (all starts) with the Knights that year, Johnson posted a 4-1 record with a 1.57 ERA with 57 strikeouts over 57.1 innings pitched.

While Johnson was back in 2014 with the Knights, it was in 2015 with the team when the talented right-hander really broke out. In fact, his 2015 season was one for the ages.

2015 SEASON TO REMEMBER
In 2015, Johnson earned the International League’s Most Valuable Pitcher Award for his efforts on the mound. The Mountain View, CA native posted an 11-8 record with a remarkable 2.37 ERA in 23 games (22 starts). In 132.2 innings pitched, Johnson allowed 108 hits and struck-out 136 batters. His 2.37 ERA led the International League and all of Triple-A Baseball that year. It ranks as the second lowest mark in a single-season by a Knights player in franchise history. His 136 strikeouts that season were the third most in Triple-A that year and rank as the eighth-best mark in single-season franchise history. Additionally, Johnson had the honor of starting the Triple-A All-Star Game in Omaha for the International League.

AWARD SEASON
Along with winning the International League’s Most Valuable Pitcher Award in 2015, Johnson was a Mid-Season and Postseason IL All-Star and earned the league’s Pitcher of the Week Award on June 21 (2015). Additionally, he was honored by Baseball America as their Triple-A All-Star and Minor League All-Star. MiLB.com also named him an Organizational All-Star that season.

FROM CHARLOTTE TO SAN DIEGO SYSTEM
On June 4, 2016, the Chicago White Sox traded Johnson and 3B Fernando Tatis Jr to the San Diego Padres for RHP James Shields and cash. At the time of the trade, Johnson was 2-1 with a 2.94 ERA in eight games (all starts) with the Knights.

CHARLOTTE CAREER
Overall, Johnson appeared in parts of four seasons with the team from 2013-16 and is among the all-time leaders in a number of pitching categories. Johnson racked up 344.2 innings pitched, which ranks sixth all-time in franchise history. He is also fourth all-time in franchise history in games started (60), tied for fourth in wins (22), and third in strikeouts (291).